Consultation on closing rail ticket offices extended
The Rail Delivery Group's consultation on closing rail ticket offices has been extended. This means passengers now have until 1 September 2023 to complete the consultation, which they can do by visiting: www.transportfocus.org.uk or Londontravelwatch.org.uk. For more, see: Passenger consultation on changes to how tickets are sold extended.
Update on pilot assessments of integrated care systems
The Care Quality Commission has announced they will be piloting new assessments later this summer at Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care System and Dorset Integrated Care System. CQC will use their single assessment framework during the pilot assessments, as outlined in the regulator’s interim guidance. More from Update on pilot assessments of integrated care systems.
Feedback received on regulation review and requested on campaign to get user feedback
Results have been published from DHSC’s review of regulations relating to CQC last year which included a survey of regulated providers. Separately, CQC are asking for provider feedback on a campaign, with Healthwatch England, to encourage people to comment on their experiences of health and social care.
Social care nursing advisory councils set up
The Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care, Deborah Sturdy, has worked with NHS England and all 42 local Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) in England, to set up social care nursing advisory councils (SCNACs) to provide a better understanding to Directors of Nursing in ICBs of nursing in adult social care, as well as insight into the wider adult social care sector.
How to recognise a CQC inspector
CQC say if you are unsure about the identity of an inspector, contact the enquiries team on 03000 616161 to check their details. Inspectors visiting in person carry ID badges that include a photograph of the person on the front, a copy of CQC’s warrant on the back and the signature of CQC’s Chief Executive Ian Trenholm (older ID badges may have David Behan or Cynthia Bower.) For more, see CQC’s website.
How do the public and NHS staff feel about virtual wards?
The Health Foundation commissioned a survey of 7,100 nationally representative members of the public (age 16 years and older) and 1,251 NHS staff members to find out how supportive they are of virtual wards and what they think is important for making sure they work well.
Keep your Data Security and Protection Toolkit updated
CQV are reminding providers that as of 30 June 2023, the 2021/22 DSPT is out of date and cannot be used as evidence of current arrangements. The regulator says take action now and review and republish for a valid DSPT. For expert support see Better Security, Better Care.
Cosy’ health and care relationships should be avoided, says NHSE director
Integrated care systems ‘where everybody’s getting on well’ tend to avoid tackling ‘uncomfortable’, but critical issues, according to NHS England’s national director of intermediate care and rehabilitation (Health Service Journal, 31 July 2023). This was one of the issues discussed at a roundtable organised by HSJ and the National Care Forum to discuss social care’s contribution to NHS winter planning.
